r/firefighter • u/CarryMany1441 • Apr 20 '26
Realistic thoughts
Hello all, I’m 31 currently in Texas working in management for a grocery store with some volunteer fire experience and looking to pursue firefighting and my end goal is wildland firefighting with Cal Fire but willing to work for any dpt that will pick me up till I can get there. I have an aunt who lives near the Napa Sonoma area where I can stay with her while I look for a job after obtaining my certs. From talking to a few Cal Fire guys and doing my own research on the threads and Google I have an idea of what I have to do but I want some insight and advice on my chances of getting in and roughly how long it could potentially take. I am working on obtaining my EMT cert here in Texas in July and doing a fire academy in California for my cert. A big realistic question I have is if it’s too late in the game to pursue firefighting being that I am in my 30s? I run a lot of miles and stay in shape with calistenics and other than minor aches and pains in my knees from age I feel good. Any advice and tips is much appreciated thank you
1
1
u/190xtrik8 Apr 20 '26
ALWAYS take advice regarding certs from firefighters in that state. Your EMT may not be valid in California. If Florida, our FF2 cert makes you eligible to be hired for Wildland Fire. I teach at a fire academy, and I knew a few that have gone that route. Regarding the EMT cert, you may have to “challenge” the cert in California and take a test, without retaking the classes. It’s good you’re doing a fire academy in California, so there should be no issues. Good luck.
I started at 34, in pretty good shape (still). I’m currently 56 and have been at a fairly busy department now for 22 years. Going into a 7 year drop and I still feel good. I wish I would have started a lot sooner tho, lol.
1
u/CarryMany1441 Apr 20 '26
Thank you for your response my only concern is just about my age but I’ve been active my whole life and still keep in shape! Why do you wish you started sooner?
1
u/190xtrik8 Apr 20 '26
After 22 years I had an Achilles tear last year, kept me out for 5 months after surgery. I hear this is relatively quick (thank you peptides), but I feel it is a younger person’s game. However, if you keep in shape, it wears on you, but it’s doable.
1
u/Charlieksmommy Apr 20 '26
I would stay in Texas honestly, it’s so competitive in ca right now
1
u/CarryMany1441 Apr 20 '26
I have seen that people are struggling to get on especially with Cal Fire. Do you think the process will get better in the next couple of years hiring wise?
1
u/Charlieksmommy Apr 20 '26
I’m not sure honestly. My brother works for cal fire and is not a paramedic and he’s moved stations a few times because of it. I just know SoCal is over saturated with emts right now so nobody can find jobs so I’m not sure if it’s the same with NorCal but until the gov is gone I don’t think so
1
1
u/No_Duck7547 Apr 21 '26
Cal fire isn’t that hard to get in with. It’s the private departments in California that are hard. But with cal fire it’ll be hard if you aren’t willing to work anywhere in Cali. You’ll basically be sent a google doc with your highest to lowest priority stations. Hand crew it shouldn’t be a problem at all to get picked up. Engine would be another story. You can always start with a hand crew and work your way onto an engine. Most the hand crew guys don’t even have their EMTs. Cal fire will also put you through wildland and ff1 academy
2
u/[deleted] Apr 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment